Ross is an interesting coach in the ATD. I have seen more than one reference to the notion that he invented "kitty-bar-the-door" defensive tactics in hockey, or what would now be called the trap, though strangely he doesn't seem to have necessarily run that system too often on Boston with Eddie Shore on the blueline.

Kitty-bar-the-door has more in common with Bowman's left wing lock, as it seems to be about putting guys in charge of holding ground at the blueline and hitting guys as they enter the offensive zone. (The trap is a less mobile four player defensive system I hadn't encountered before Lou in New Jersey dominated with it from the early nineties.)

That said, Ross experimented and introduced many new techniques, often finding new ways of doing things, a real creative, task-oriented mind.

Quote:

Some time ago, I ran across what looks like a juicy article concerning Ross and new vs. old coaching tactics circa 1942. I saved the link (which is below), though it's behind a pay wall, so if you want the goods, you'll have to shell out a couple of bucks. Anyway, here it is:

And finally, here's one from the 1939 playoffs (which would culminate in Ross' only Cup win as a manager) which calls Bill Cowley the nemesis of Lester Patrick. It might shed some light on all of Cowley, Ross and Patrick, if we're lucky:

Lord only knows what's actually in those articles, but I can tell you that the one time I paid to unlock a CSM article, it was very much worth it (it was the article in the dirt thread giving the exact date of the implementation of powerplay rules in the NHL). A pack of 4 articles is eleven bucks, so if you've got one more CSM article you want to take a look at, it might be worth it. I have a feeling that there's a treasure trove of information specifically about Ross' coaching style in those articles.

Thanks sturm for the links. Once I pay off my credit card (next month) I'll look into investing in those articles!

I'll take my very own Ed Giacomin and Rogatien Vachon over Mike Vernon at the very least. There's also a few undrafted I would definitely take before Vernon.

Giacomin is the one guy who I thought someone might argue about, and my case for Vernon would be primarily (weakly) built on team success. I was thrilled to see other teams take Lorne Chabot and Mike Liut as backups ahead of Vernon.

Giacomin is the one guy who I thought someone might argue about, and my case for Vernon would be primarily (weakly) built on team success. I was thrilled to see other teams take Lorne Chabot and Mike Liut as backups ahead of Vernon.

I definitely see a case for Vernon over both Liut & Chabot, especially as a backup goaltender. I actually think there's no contest that Eddie Giacomin is the best backup in this draft. He's actually a better regular season goaltender than more than a few starters. However, his playoff portfolio is atrocious, which I fully understand why people stay away from him as a starter. He was not on our radar as a starter, but easily atop of our list as a backup.

With our 19th selection, the 600th in this year All-Time Draft, les Nordiques de Quebec are extremely proud to select, from Goodsoil, Saskatchewan, Canada, D Ron Greschner

''To complete our top-six on defence, we are very please to select the smooth and mobile Ron Greschner to play alongside Frantisek Tikal. The 6'02'', 205 pounds Greschner is a fantastic puckhandler, who could run a powerplay and score goals from the point with his terrific shot. Just as good in the defensive zone, Ron is one of the good two-way defenceman who played in the NHL during the 1970's & 1980's. A quiet leader who like to lead by example, he played all of his 16 NHL seasons with the New York Rangers. We are very happy to complete our defensive squad with a versatile defenceman that will be able to replace in a pinch on any defensive pairing and on any special team unit, if necessary.''

Giacomin is the one guy who I thought someone might argue about, and my case for Vernon would be primarily (weakly) built on team success. I was thrilled to see other teams take Lorne Chabot and Mike Liut as backups ahead of Vernon.

I took Liut over Vernon, and I'd take at least a dozen undrafted goalies over Vernon as well. He's a bottom-half backup.

And on a sidenote, taking inspiration from Sturm's 'no tip-toeing'... IMO Ruff will likely end up being the worst coach drafted. Sorry Dwight.

At 6'3" and 225 lbs, Regehr has been an excellent defensive defenceman and a feared hitter for over a decade. He has killed 51% of his team's penalties during his time in the NHL and has punished countless NHL forwards who have ventured into the Tunnel of Love on his side of the ice.

Regehr had a memorable peak where he received a lot of recognition around the league, starting in the 2004 Finals run by Calgary when he led Calgary defencemen in minutes played, scored 9 points, was +7, and played shutdown defence. He followed up this performance by being asked to play for Canada in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, the 2005 World Championships, and the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Having seen both of them throughout their careers, I have no doubt about that whatsoever. That said,... to those who haven't seen them at all or much, an argument needs to be made. (This may be the place for stats.)

There certainly hasn't been a clearly weaker Conn Smythe winner than Vernon. I was pissed as hell when they announced the default pick, as is sometimes the case when there are several candidates, the goalie is voted for.

The role Vernon had in the two cup wins is... I want to say marginal, but let's say average, not top-5 on the team, just happens to be a more high profile position (he gets the wins on the backs of better players in front of him).

While Vernon is a worthy backup in the draft, he sure ain't the best, and there will be 2 or 3 undrafteds who will go in the MLD who are arguably his equal in all but cup counting.

(I am sure glad Vernon is drafted after Macoun, because the latter was a better defensive defenseman than the former was a goalie imo oty.)

I dont think i'm gonna come much longer, so i'll go with my gut feeling(Hav'nt slept in 18 hours though but i think it's good)

Viking Maniacs selects Bobby Schmautz.

I like Schmautzie, he was on my radar for my last pick. I wanted a bit more of a grittier presence and that was why i picked Labine, although Schmautz was a bit of a wingnut himself.

ROFL, I was thinking of the ridiculous, pre-code curve on his stick blade that he used to have.....it wasn't unusual for one of his slapshots to go up unheeded into first balcony of the old Boston Garden.....somebody told me that once he had one sling off his blade and went directly up into the 2nd balcony...don't know if that's true though.